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Planned Parenthood: Iowa closings a financial move

by KIX101.1 /1230 KFJB News Departmentposted Jun 9 2014 10:02AM

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Planned Parenthood of the Heartland says its decision to close two southern Iowa facilities was financially driven and wasn't influenced by the efforts of abortion rights opponents who regularly protest outside those locations and others.

The Iowa-based affiliate, which also serves Arkansas, Nebraska and eastern Oklahoma, will close facilities in the communities of Red Oak and Creston effective June 18, after officials determined the centers each averaged about one patient per month.

Spokeswoman Angie Remington calls it a "fiscal efficiency issue."

The announcement comes around the time Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette, the affiliate based in Oregon, announced plans to close three facilities in the region and reduce staff.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America says affiliates operate independently from the national group and that there was no directive to close facilities.